Endless Summer in Iceland

Iceland provides plenty of reasons to stay awake to enjoy the midnight sun

By Becca Hensley

Photo by Puripat Lertpunyaroj/shutterstock.com

Volcanoes. Tundra. Mountains. Glaciers. Iceland is a terrain of otherworldly contrasts. Located in the North Atlantic Ocean, just south of the Arctic Circle, this landscape the size of Alaska has a sparse population of just 330,000, with most denizens living in the south. Boasting a Viking heritage and an earthy, outdoorsy lifestyle, Icelanders understandably look forward to summer’s vibrant season, when the sun shines nearly all night long—the alluring flip side of the seasonal coin that keeps the country in a dark hibernation each winter. Ideal for tourists as well as celebratory locals, the nearly-24/7 summer light provides more time for sightseeing and imbues the countryside with an enchanted golden light, befitting the country’s legacy of myths and legends (and the perfect backdrop to the popular TV show, Game of Thrones). On summer solstice, which falls on June 21 this year, the sun sets just after midnight and rises again before 3 a.m. This allows for plenty of illumination for the myriad island-wide parties, festivals and celebrations in a tradition of renewal that dates back to ancient times. Here are some ways to enjoy a day, and a season, that seems to never really end.

Join the Party

If you spent an Arctic winter in the dark, you’d be ready to celebrate the deliciously long days of summer. Even if you didn’t have to pay your dues, you’ll be more than welcome to join the celebration from June 15-18 at the Secret Solstice Festival, an adrenaline-powered music and adventure fete. The festival attracts top-tier bands like this year’s headliner, Foo Fighters, but don’t miss its more uniquely Icelandic activities. A prime example: the evocative Midnight Sun Boat Party, where Icelanders channel their Viking heritage and navigate a fleet of vessels from Reykjavik into the North Atlantic to witness the sun momentarily touch the earth’s horizon, before popping quickly back up again.

Explore Reykjavik

It’s Europe’s northernmost capital, and this gallery, bar, restaurant and boutique-filled city on the island’s southwestern shore is also arguably its coolest. Want proof? The city draws more than a million tourists annually, many of whom come to begin an outdoor adventure in the easily accessible mountains, geysers and glaciers. Stay awhile to soak in the pleasures of Reykjavik’s colorful, quaint buildings and cobblestoned streets, which take on a particularly magical hue in the midnight sun. Naturally, the city begs to be explored on foot, though if time is short consider one of the whimsical tuk-tuk (small, open-air vehicles) tours that can whisk you to must-see highlights, like neighborhoods where old fishing shacks mingle with sleek modern buildings. One favorite is the Tuk Tuk Magical History Tour, a 75-minute ride that departs daily from Harpa Music Hall.

Soak in a geothermal pool

Iceland’s version of a hot tub is nothing like the poolside ponds in South Texas. Case in point is Blue Lagoon, Iceland’s top tourist attraction, which was formed in the 1970s near a geothermal power plant. Don’t let its man-made origins thwart you: This gorgeous to behold pool has healing warm water to soak in and is full of silica-rich mud to slather over your body. To experience one of Iceland’s naturally heated baths, try Seljavallalaug, located two hours from Reykjavik—a journey that takes you through some of the nation’s most captivating landscape. Abutting a mountain that feeds hot water into the pool, this tranquil hot spot is a local favorite.

Gaze at waterfalls

Among Iceland’s natural bounty are majestic waterfalls. Here are three not to miss: Glymur, Iceland’s second-tallest; Gullfoss, its most mystical; and Dettifoss, Europe’s most wondrous. You’ll have to sweat to reach Glymur, which is located near Reykjavik and can be reached by way of a rather arduous hike. You’re rewarded with elegant multistreamed falls, which flows in ribbon-like rivulets into a deep, moss-covered canyon. Gullfoss is a popular day tour from the city and looks so magnificent that it seems almost fake. Broad and unbridled, it bursts over a tiny ridge, then turns into a rainbow-filled nebulous of mist. Worth the trek to northeast Iceland, Dettifoss pours down a humongous precipice in Jokulsargljufur National Park.

Eat like a (cultured) Viking

Whale meat, sheep’s head (they call it cod’s head, but it truly isn’t fish), and fermented shark (so pungent you must wash it down with killer schnapps), stand out as the nation’s indigenous cuisine and are worth a try. However, the island has made giant culinary strides recently. For instance, celebrity chef Jamie Oliver just opened Jamie’s Italian in Reykjavik. With seafood influences of the Amalfi Coast, the menu takes advantage of Iceland’s oceanic largesse but also focuses on pasta, salads and grills.

When You Go

Fly
Icelandair provides easy connections from San Antonio to Reykjavik via Chicago, Orlando or Newark. The airline also accommodates travelers who hanker to continue to another destination in Europe.icelandair.com

Sleep
Iceland has a slew of chic, luxurious hotels that exude a sense of place and showcase the country’s unique verve. Ion Luxury Adventure Hotel, near the UNESCO-sited Thingyellir National Park, is an hour from urbane Reykjavik and puts guests in the heart of Iceland’s trumpeted outdoors. Hotel Husafell, nestled near the Langiokull Glacier 90 minutes from Reykjavik, meets strict eco-standards and has a 9-hole golf course, complete with midnight sun tee times. Its nightly Husafell Green Walk takes guests out to learn about Iceland’s commitment to ecology and green technology. husafel.is.english; designhotels.com

Do
It helps if you’re a fan of Game of Thrones, but tours taking visitors to sites from the series show off some of Iceland’s remarkable landscapes. A Game of Thrones–themed tour is one of many offered by The Traveling Viking. ttv.is